Deanne Bray

Deanne Bray (born May 14, 1971)[1] is an American actress. Bray was born deaf and is bilingual in American Sign Language and English.

Deanne Bray
Born (1971-05-14) May 14, 1971
Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California, United States
Years active1995–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2001)​
Children1
Websitewww.deannebray.com

Early life and education

Bray was born in Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California and has spent most of her life in southern California being raised by her father, though she lived in Seattle for a few years with her mother and attended Washington State School for the Deaf for grade 8. Bray's father knew some basic ASL, but her mother chose not to learn to sign at all.

Bray's parents made certain their daughter was instructed from an early age to speak and write English and learn American Sign Language as well, sending her through a variety of learning programs and centers to strengthen her language skills.[2]

A California native, Bray broke into the entertainment industry after she was discovered performing with a deaf dancing group called "Prism West" at a Deaf festival at California State University, Northridge, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Biology.[3] She is pursuing a master's degree in Sign Language Education.[4]

Career

Bray is best known for her role as Sue Thomas in the show Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye and has also had a recurring role as Emma Coolidge on Heroes, besides being a co-host with Missy Keast on the DVD Your Pregnancy: What To Expect, a comprehensive resource for pregnant deaf and hard of hearing women.[5][6]

Bray is also an advocate for improving early childhood education for deaf children and is a spokesperson for Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids (LEAD-K).[7]

Personal life

Bray is married to Troy Kotsur, the first deaf male actor to win an Academy Award. On September 8, 2005, they had a daughter, Kyra Monique Kotsur.

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1996 What Do Women Want Sharon
2005 Last Mountain Blonde Annie
2007 I See the Crowd Roar: The Story of William Dummy Hoy Anna Documentary short
2008 Universal Signs Natalie
2013 No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie ASL Advocate

2016 Wild Prairie Rose.

Theatre
Year Title Role Notes
2018 Arrival and Departure Emily Theater

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1995 Ed McBain's 87th Precinct: Lightning Teddy Franklin TV film
1996 The Pretender Deaf Woman Episode: "Flyer"
1997 Ellen Juliet Episode: "Ellen's Deaf Comedy Jam"
1997 Diagnosis: Murder Jan Curran Episode: "Murder, Country Style"
2001 Strong Medicine Sonny Episode: "Fix"
2001 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Dr. Gilbert Episode: "Sounds of Silence"
2002–2005 Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye Sue Thomas Lead role (56 episodes)
2003 L.A. Sheriff's Homicide Technician TV film
2006 Rescue Me RoseMary Episode: "Hell"
2007 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Dean Price Episode: "Silencer"
2007 Curb Your Enthusiasm Jean Episode: "The Rat Dog"
2007 The L Word Amy Reed Episodes: "Lacy Lilting Lyrics", "Little Boy Blue"
2008 The L Word Amy Reed Episodes: "Lesbians Gone Wild", "Lay Down the Law"
2008 Sweet Nothing in My Ear Dr. Walters TV film
2009–2010 Heroes Emma Coolidge Recurring role (9 episodes)
2013 2 Broke Girls Joanne Episode: "And Not-So-Sweet Charity"
2014 Grey's Anatomy Nicole Episode: "Go It Alone"
2014 Switched at Birth Dean of Gallaudet Episode: "It Isn't What You Think"
2017 Veep Julie Episode: "Qatar"

References
  1. Bob Ayers (December 2004). Deaf Diaspora, The Third Wave of Deaf Ministry. Lincoln, NE, USA. p. 57. ISBN 0-595-33541-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. "Deaf actors from Oak Park star in play premiering in Hollywood". Archived from the original on July 14, 2018. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  3. "A Hearing Loss Hero" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on September 28, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  4. "American Sign Language Honor Society". Archived from the original on September 28, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  5. Your Pregnancy What to Expect. ISBN 0977097455.
  6. "Your Pregnancy What to Expect". Archived from the original on September 28, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  7. "Seeking sign language support - Deaf actress advocates for early ASL development". 3 April 2017. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
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